Renowned YES and ASIA guitarist Steve Howe first noticed a Martin guitar when his attention was drawn to a leather-enshrouded Dreadnought on the cover of an Elvis Presley album. Howe soon noticed many other musicians he admired (Lonnie Donegan and Paul Simon among them) playing Martins and, as soon as he was able to afford one, Howe purchased his first Martin, a 1953 00-18 model with a tortoise colored pickguard. This guitar, long cherished by Steve, has been used in live performances and in the recording of many legendary YES acoustic tracks. Since that time, Howe has become an avid collector of acoustic guitars, and he has even published his own book, "The Steve Howe Guitar Collection." Among his arsenal of Martin instruments are additional 00-18 models, a SOM-45, a number of ukuleles, a Style C mandolin and a rare 0-28 dating back to the post Civil War era.

In appreciation of Steve Howe's loyalty to Martin instruments and his significant contribution to the advancement of guitar music, C. F. Martin & Co. is proud to announce the 00-18SH Steve Howe Signature Edition.

Designed with features drawn from Steve Howe's 00-18, and embellished with characteristics selected from standard, vintage and Golden Era guitars, the 00-18SH edition will be limited to a maximum of 250 instruments.

The soundboard of the 00-18SH is carefully crafted of Engelmann Spruce, common to many Martin instruments built in 1953. The top bracing is 1/4" width and delicately hand scalloped to achieve optimum tone. The back, sides and neck are of solid genuine mahogany.

The rosette is inlaid in the old style with thin black inner and outer rings. The body is trimmed with tortoise colored bindings and inlaid with traditional Style 18 black/white/black/white/black. A tortoise colored pickguard, beveled and polished to achieve an under-the-finish appearance, adorns the soundboard.

An unbound genuine ebony fingerboard is inlaid with vintage style 18 abalone position dots. Steve Howe's signature is delicately inlaid between the 18th and 20th frets. The bridge, also sculpted from genuine ebony, is fitted with a vintage long or "through" saddle of genuine bone. The headstock is squared and tapered in the old style with a genuine bone nut. Nickel-plated replicas of the original Kluson "oil-hole" tuners complete the authenticity of the neck.

The soundboard is tinted with golden "vintage toner," and the lacquered body is polished to a high gloss. The interior label will be individually numbered in sequence and personally signed by Steve Howe and Martin CEO C. F. Martin IV.

A charitable contribution of $66.38 (on export sales) or $73.75 (on US sales) for each 00-18SH sold will be donated to the Save the Children Federation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to making lasting, positive change in the lives of disadvantaged children in the United States and throughout the world.

Martin dealers will begin to take orders for the 00-18SH Signature Edition immediately, though, due to heavy demand for Martin instruments, this edition will not begin to appear in stores until the summer of 1999.

Johnny Cash, one of country music's most distinctive figures, and The Martin Guitar Company are proud to introduce the D-42JC Johnny Cash Limited Edition Signature Model, a collaboration between the respected "Man in Black" and Martin. The Johnny Cash Limited Edition Guitar will be available from Martin dealers throughout the world. The edition will be limited to a maximum of 200 guitars, each numbered in sequence and personally signed by Johnny Cash and C. F. Martin, IV, Martin's chairman and CEO.

Johnny Cash , the youngest performer ever inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, is also in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Although he starts every concert with the words, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," This is one artist who needs little introduction. Cash is one of the most recognizable and respected figures in country music and is acknowledged to be one of the biggest stars the industry has ever produced. Throughout his long career, Johnny Cash has shown tremendous loyalty to Martin guitars. His favorites include the first black guitar ever crafted by Martin, Cash's custom D-35 made in 1989. He also plays a Martin Bicentennial Limited Edition (#375) and a custom D-45 made in 1982 and signed by both C. F. Martin, III, and C. F. Martin, IV.

The Johnny Cash Limited Edition Guitar is the first all-black limited edition ever offered by Martin. Hand-crafted entirely of solid woods, this D-42JC is a 14-fret Dreadnought with high performance forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing. The three piece back is made of East Indian Rosewood with Martin style 45 multi-colored back inlay strips. The neck shape was inspired by the Hank Williams/Johnny Cash D-45. The fingerboard is genuine ebony and is inlaid with abalone stars, delicately bordered with mother-of-pearl. The rosette and the perimeter of the body are bordered with highly colorful style 42 abalone pearl inlay. Johnny Cash's signature will be inlaid between the 19th and 20th frets. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Johnny Cash Limited Edition Guitars will be donated to The Carter Family Memorial Music Center.

A native of Kingsland, Arkansas, Johnny Cash began playing the guitar and writing songs in the 1950s while serving in the Air Force. His hits include such favorites as "I Walk the Line," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "A Boy Named Sue." Widely known for his prison performances and songs, Cash has won three Grammy Awards. He is married to singing partner June Carter.

Martin Guitar dealers will begin to take orders for the Johnny Cash Limited Edition Guitars immediately, though due to heavy demand for Martin instruments, this edition will not appear in stores until early 1998.

"Alice's Restaurant Massacree," the classic anti-Establishment folk song that helped define the Woodstock era, has reached the age of 30. In honor of the anniversary of this folk anthem about Guthrie's escapades with the police and the draft board, The Martin Guitar Company is proud to announce a collaboration with songwriter Arlo Guthrie to create two limited edition guitars, a six-string 0000-28H AG and a 12-string 0000-28H AG. The Martin Guitar Company will craft up to 30 of each of these commemorative "Alice's Restaurant" limited edition guitars. Each instrument will be numbered in sequence (i.e. #1 of 30, #2 of 30, etc.) and signed by Arlo Guthrie and C. F. Martin, IV, CEO and Chairman of the Martin Guitar Company.

Arlo Guthrie, son of noted folksinger and songwriter Woody Guthrie, learned to play guitar by the age of six. Although his father was hospitalized for many of his early years, Arlo grew up with such folk heroes as Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Leadbelly and Cisco Houston. by the time he was in his teens, Arlo was performing in coffee houses. It was his "Alice's Restaurant" album, released in 1967 and certified gold by the RIAA, that launched him to the forefront of the anti-war movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Arlo Guthrie Limited Edition commemorative guitars will be donated to Guthrie's Interfaith Church Foundation, which is housed in the same church where he wrote "Alice's Restaurant" and where the movie of the same name was filmed in 1969.

Special features of the 6-string Arlo Guthrie guitar include a headplate that combines the classic Martin raised gold foil logo with a pearl inlaid and engraved representation of Alice's Restaurant, the notorious church building in Stockbridge, Massachusetts where the infamous "Massacree" occurred. The unbound genuine ebony fingerboard features inlaid "circles and arrows," and of course, a "paragraph" written by Arlo on the inside of each guitar. The words "Alice's Restaurant 30th" are inlaid at the 12th, 13th and 14th frets. Arlo Guthrie's name is inlaid between the 19th and 20th frets. The top of the guitar is Sitka Spruce with a highly colorful three piece abalone pearl rosette. The sides are selected East Indian rosewood, and the two piece East Indian rosewood back has a Martin style 45 back inlay strip. The guitar is housed in a unique blue jean covered hardshell case.

The 12-string limited edition "Alice's Restaurant" Commemorative utilizes fingerboard and headstock inlays which are identical to the six-string model. Standard 12-string modifications have been made to the neck width and shape, the interior top bracing pattern, the bridge configuration, and the tuning machines.

Arlo Guthrie selected the 0000 stage/studio model, formerly referred to as the "M" size Martin body, because this has been his favorite guitar size for several decades. The "H" stands for herringbone, specifying Martin's legendary herringbone 28 specifications.

Martin Guitar dealers worldwide will begin to take orders for the 0000-28H AG and 000012-28H AG Arlo Guthrie Signature Models immediately, although the guitars will not be available until early 1998.

Anaheim, CA - C. F. Martin & Co. is honored to introduce the 000-45JR Jimmie Rodgers Limited Edition Guitar. This historic instrument commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jimmie Rodgers, acknowledged to be the "Father of Country Music." C. F. Martin will offer 100 of these special Brazilian rosewood guitars for sale worldwide.

Jimmie Rodgers, widely known as "America's Blue Yodeler," was referred to as the "Singing Brakeman" during his railroad days. Born in Meridian, Mississippi on September 8, 1897, James Charles Rodgers traveled the country extensively by railroad in his early years and was exposed to many indigenous styles of music. Jimmie Rodgers combined diverse influences in his own songs and in 1927, at the age of 30, he auditioned for Ralph Peer, Sr., an RCA Victor talent scout. His first record was made at the now legendary "Bristol session," and the rest is history.

The original Jimmie Rodgers 000-45 Martin is possibly the most valuable (if not priceless) guitar ever made. Its worth is certainly affected by the fact that it was Jimmie Rodgers' favorite personal guitar. He made nearly all of his popular recordings with his Martin.

At his peak, the recordings of Jimmie Rodgers had the greatest worldwide sales of any artist of his era. Although his career lasted only a short five years, his music influenced several generations of folk, blues, and country stars. Rodgers died while recording in New York City on May 26, 1933, at age 35, a victim of tuberculosis. After his death, Rodgers' widow lent the guitar to Ernest Tubb who performed with it for four decades.

When Ernest Tubb died, the 000-45 was returned to Jimmie Rodgers' daughter, Anita, who made arrangements to donate the instrument to the Smithsonian Institution until she learned the Smithsonian would not have been able to display the guitar on a permanent basis. The guitar was then donated to the Jimmie Rodgers Museum in Meridian, Mississippi where it is featured in a vault behind a glass door as part of the permanent display. A sign states, "Presented to Jimmie Rodgers in Washington, D.C. by Mr. C. Frederick Martin, President of the Martin Guitar Co., July 27, 1927." In addition to this particular guitar's colorful history, the 000-45 model is sought after on the vintage guitar market, attracting buyers who pay from $50,000 to $100,000 for one of these very rare instruments.

Martin's Artist Relations Manager Dick Boak and Prototype Coordinator Dale Eckhart traveled to Meridian to visit the Jimmie Rodgers Museum in May of 1996. While there, they took extensive measurements and photographs of the Jimmie Rodgers guitar in order to develop the specific appointments necessary to replicate this special instrument.

The 000-45JR Jimmie Rodgers model is crafted with Martin's "Golden Era" features. The term "Golden Era" refers to vintage Martin instruments made prior to World War II. During the pre-war era, Martin's unique, almost magical blend of well chosen materials, optimized design, and hand-crafted construction created what many collectors and guitar experts believe to be the finest acoustic stringed instruments ever made. Over the past 20 years, Martin has reintroduced nearly all of the individual styles and features of those pre-war instruments. The return of the vintage attributes to production has been well received by the guitar playing community, including references to the 1990s as Martin's "Second Golden Era." The demand for a Golden Era Series has challenged Martin to recreate, as faithfully as possible, models that have long since become legendary.

The 000 12-fret model is a somewhat obscure but highly sought after pre-war Martin size and style. The graceful "000" 12-fret body shape is particularly suited for guitarists who favor more delicate fingerstyle techniques.

A solid spruce soundboard, bookmatched from rare Adirondack "red" spruce, is braced with the original pre-war Martin scalloped X-brace pattern, forward shifted to a position 1" from the soundhole. Linen reinforcement strips are glued in regular intervals along the interior surface of the Brazilian rosewood sides to further strengthen the body. The two-piece back, also fashioned from rare solid "pre-CITES" Brazilian rosewood, features the traditional "Style 45 multi-colored mosaic" back inlay strip. Highly colorful abalone is inlaid around the rosette, as well as the perimeter of the top, sides and back. Ivoroid binding with black/white wood fiber inlay compliments the abalone pearl inlay at all appropriate seams in the vintage 45 style.

The original genuine ebony fingerboard, bound in grained ivoroid, has been faithfully recreated with "JIMMIE RODGERS" inlaid with mother of pearl. In keeping with the original specification, a straight-line ebony bridge features wings inlaid with Maltese snowflakes. The bridge is fitted with a long or "through" fossilized ivory saddle. Fossilized ivory is also used for the nut and for the bridge pins, which are inlaid with vintage 4mm abalone pearl dots.

When he placed his original order in 1927, Jimmie Rodgers requested that the headstock be inlaid with his trademark "BLUE YODELER" in Martin Style 45 letters. It is interesting to note that Martin had a great difficulty fitting all of the "YODELER" letters on the narrow strip between the two peghead slots. As a result, Jimmie Rodgers amended the inlay design to read simply "YODEL." This legendary inlay has been faithfully replicated in mother-of-pearl to match the original guitar. A vintage styled square tapered slotted headstock with square slots is bound in grained ivoroid to match the fingerboard and body, and outfitted with premium quality Waverly-Sloane engraved sidemount tuning machines with ivoroid buttons.

A nitrocellulose lacquer finish is polished to high gloss on all surfaces of the body, neck and headplate. Vintage toner, developed to match the golden color of pre-war aged lacquer, is applied as the base coat on the face of the guitar.

One unique and legendary aspect of the original Jimmie Rodgers 000-45 is the hand painted "THANKS" on the back of the guitar. From photographs of the original hand painted letters, a color matched decal replica was created. This decal is offered as an option at no additional surcharge and is applied to the back prior to the application of finish.

A pickguard is not standard on this model, though it is believed that Ernest Tubb added the one that is currently on the original Jimmie Rodgers guitar. An optional tortoise colored pickguard may be ordered with each limited edition guitar. Each pickguard is delicately hand-beveled and polished to approximate the under-the-finish appearance of pre-war pickguards. The original "C. F. Martin hot stamp" that was used on pre-war guitars was retrieved from the Martin Museum in order to burn an authentic "Nazareth, PA" logo onto the back center brace. The current stamp bears the "Made in U.S.A." origin. A deluxe #533 Geib Style hardshell case is included with each instrument.

The original Jimmie Rodgers guitar bears a special interior label in C. F. Martin, III's handwriting that reads, "To Jimmie Rodgers, America's Blue Yodeler, with all good wishes, C. Frederick Martin, July 27, 1927." This original label has been carefully reproduced for the edition. A specially engraved brass plate, mounted just above the serial number inside the guitar body bears the inscription, "JIMMIE RODGERS, "Blue Yodel," 000-45JR, 100th Anniversary, 1897-1997."

Each instrument will be numbered in sequence (i.e. #1 of 100, #2 of 100, etc.) and each instrument will be personally signed by C. F. Martin, IV, Martin's chairman and CEO, who represents the sixth generation of Martin family members to manage the esteemed guitarmaking firm.

Anaheim, CA - C. F. Martin & Co. is proud to announce a major collaboration with Paul Simon, one of the most significant recording artists of our time. The OM-42PS Paul Simon Limited Edition Guitar will be available only from Martin dealers throughout the world. The edition will be limited to just 500 guitars, each numbered in sequence and personally signed by Paul Simon and C. F. Martin, IV, Martin's chairman and CEO.

Following an initial meeting to discuss limited edition possibilities with Martin's Artist Relations Manager Dick Boak, Paul and his son Harper (also a great guitarist) traveled to Martin's headquarters in Nazareth, PA, to try out a variety of Martin guitar sizes, shapes and styles. After several hours, Paul zeroed in on two, the 0000 (Grand Auditorium) and OM (Orchestra Model). Martin built four prototypes for Paul to try, two in each size. He paid particular attention to the neck, opting for a custom variation of the wider OM neck width. In respect to appointments, Paul felt that as a limited edition or collectable, the model should be ornate but tasteful, easy to amplify, and suitable for use on stage and in the studio. The edition size (five hundred) was taken from "Suite 500," Simon's office in the classic Brill Building in Manhattan.

The OM-42PS limited edition Martin guitar was designed to meet Paul Simon's exacting requirements for tone, size, and action. The smaller OM body size, combined with the long (25.4") scale length, is particularly applicable to fingerstyle guitarists who are seeking a strong yet balanced tone. Paul Simon and C. F. Martin & Co. generally steer clear of product endorsements. As a result, both wished to develop a special guitar that would help fund a charity. Paul Simon is co-founder of The Children's Health Fund, the nation's largest organization offering health care to homeless children, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to this charity.

Paul Simon's most recent project is writing the score for the Broadway musical "The Capeman," scheduled to open in New York in the fall of 1997. Advance word is that the music is so exceptional, it will set a new standard by which musicals will be judged. The two acoustic guitars being used in the show are two of the initial prototypes of the limited edition built by The Martin Guitar Company.

The OM-42PS is tastefully appointed with tortoise colored bindings throughout. Handcrafted entirely with solid woods, the sides and back are constructed from select grade East Indian rosewood, and the top is bookmatched from quartersawn Sitka spruce. The perimeter of the pearl rosetted soundboard has been painstakingly inlaid with highly colored Style 42 abalone pearl top inlay. At Simon's specific request, the adjustable neck is sleek and low with a comfortable 1 11/16" neck width at the nut, but with the slightly wider OM neck width as you move up toward the twelfth fret. A Style 45 pearl inlaid C. F. Martin headstock is bound in tortoise and fitted with the highest quality vintage style Waverly nickel-plated open-geared tuning machines with ivoroid buttons. A genuine ebony tortoise bound fingerboard features the original Style 42 snowflake pattern in abalone pearl, with Paul Simon's signature delicately inlaid in mother of pearl between the 19th and 20th frets. A deluxe five-ply vintage series Geib style hardshell case has been designed to house this special guitar.

Paul Simon is widely known for his legendary partnership with Art Garfunkel but after their breakup in the early 1970s, it was Paul's talent that emerged in album after album of award-winning material. From his first solo release in 1972 (titled simply "Paul Simon") to his 1990 "Rhythm of the Saints," Simon's work bridges the gaps between music, poetry and art. One of his most successful works was the Grammy-award winning "Graceland," a project that influenced and inspired the "world music" movement.

Martin Guitar dealers will begin to take orders for the five hundred OM-42PS immediately. As with all Martin guitars, the construction process takes both time and expertise. The Martin Guitar Company dates back to the 1830s when Christian Frederick Martin, Sr., moved to the United States from Europe. The guitar shop he set up over 160 years ago has been continuously family owned and operated. Current Chairman and CEO, Chris Martin, IV, is the sixth generation Martin to head this venerable company.

The Martin Guitar Company is proud to announce a significant collaboration with world renowned guitarist, Eric Clapton. As part of an ongoing annual limited edition guitar program, Martin will be handcrafting a series of special 000-42EC Eric Clapton signature model acoustic guitars.

The 000-42EC model was designed in conjunction with Eric Clapton’s wish to blend two specific vintage Martin 000 small bodied acoustic guitars that Clapton regularly performs with on stage and in the studio. The two guitars, which were made highly visible on Clapton’s MTV Unplugged Concert and subsequent Grammy award-winning compact disc release, are a vintage 1939 000-42 and a vintage 000-28. His 000-28 was modified with style 45 fingerboard, headstock and top pearl by Martin historian and inlay artist, Mike Longworth. Eric’s favorite features from the two instuments have been combined and optimized to create the 1995 Limited Edition 000-42EC.

The smaller "000" body size with a short 24.9" scale length is particularly popular among fingerstyle and blues guitarists who prefer a delicate and balanced tone. The 000-42EC is tastefully appointed with a tortoise colored pickguard, a Style 45 pearl inlaid C. F. Martin headplate, and ivoroid bindings. The perimeter of the soundboard has been painstakingly inlaid with highly colored Style 42 abalone pearl top inlay. Crafted with solid woods throughout, the sides and back are constructed from premium grade solid East Indian rosewood and the top is bookmatched from select quartersawn Sitka spruce. Vintage style Martin gold-plated open-geared tuning machines are equipped with unique "butterbean" knobs. A genuine ebony fingerboard features the original Style 45 snowflake pattern in abalone pearl, and Eric Clapton’s signature is inlaid in mother of pearl between the 19th and 20th frets.

A deluxe soft padded burgundy velour-lined five-ply hardshell case has been designed to house this special guitar. Appropriately, the case features top-of-the-line hardware, a three-digit combination lock, and an engraved brass limited edition plate.

The edition is limited to 461 instruments, each individually numbered and personally signed by Eric Clapton and C. F. Martin IV. The number "461" was taken from his 1974 comeback album entitled "461 Ocean Boulevard," the address of the house in Florida that Clapton rented during the album's recording sessions.

A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of these guitars will be donated to The Eric Clapton Children’s Trust, a fund that will be dispersed to children’s charities worldwide at the specific discretion of Eric Clapton, who as a result of the loss of his own child, has a significant interest in the concerns of children.

"Singing Cowboy" Gene Autry's 60-plus years of contribution to American culture have been acknowledged in many ways over the years from hall of fame inductions to his five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His latest honor comes from the prestigious Martin Guitar Company located in Nazareth, Pa. The guitar manufacturer, known world-wide for the exceptional craftsmanship and superb quality of its fretted instruments, is producing a limited edition "Gene Autry D-45" guitar which replicates the first D-45 ever produced, an extraordinary guitar which was custom-made in 1933 by Martin Guitar for none other than Gene Autry.

Throughout his career, "The Singing Cowboy" could be seen playing his custom-made C.F. Martin D-45 guitar. The unique guitar was ornamented with his name in beautifully inlaid pearl script across the guitar's fingerboard which made the cowboy star instantly recognizable. Many musicians over the decades have attempted to copy the look and presence of this guitar going so far as having their own names inlaid into the fingerboards of similar guitars. But only the Martin Guitar Company itself can truly reproduce the spirit of the original vintage instrument.

The limited edition "Gene Autry D-45" captures most of the details of the original guitar. It is a 12-fret model hand-crafted in the old-world Martin tradition. Specially selected rare Brazilian rosewood has been used for the back and sides, and the finest ebony has been used for the fingerboard and bridge. A tortoise shell pickguard protects the sitka spruce top, and hundreds of exquisite, highly-colored pearl inlays ornament the instrument's top, sides, back and rosette. The guitar is available in its original style with Autry's name inlaid in pearl script across the guitar's fingerboard or with a small pearl script signature inlaid between the 18th and 19th frets. Each of the Gene Autry Commemorative D-45's carries a sequentially numbered label signed by Gene Autry and C. F. Martin, IV. 50 guitars will be produced for sale in the United States and 16 will be made for export.

The guitar Elvis Presley used to record his first hits was auctioned in Atlanta, Georgia on October 5th for the sum of $180,000. The instrument was purchased by an antiques dealer and collector from London.

Elvis played his 1942 Martin D-18 (Serial #80221) acoustic guitar exclusively between 1954 and 1956, and used it for his "Sun Sessions" recordings produced by Sam Phillips and his first major concerts.

Until recently, the guitar and a photograph showing Elvis playing on stage, were hung in the north wing of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which considered the instrument "one of the most significant items" that they had on exhibit.

According to Jim Jaworowitz, memorabilia consultant to Graceland and Christie's, the Martin is the only guitar that Elvis' played that is not currently owned by Graceland. "I believe that it is one of the most valuable guitars that has been placed on the market," said Jaworowitz.

Many photographs show Elvis with the guitar. Originally, stick-on block letters spelled "E-L-V-I-S" along the bottom left bout of the Martin, but the "S" has since been lost leaving "E-L-V-I".

Elvis recorded most of his early hits on the Martin, including "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky". The guitar was sold in 1956 to a neighbor and fan of Elvis's who owned it for the past 35 years. At that point the guitar was purchased by Bob Brown, owner of the Red Baron's auction house in Atlanta, Georgia.

Red Baron's Antiques displayed the instrument in Turner Broadcasting's CNN Center together with an array of Martin artifacts, old photographs, and some of the old forms and tools that no doubt were a part of the guitars handwork nearly fifty years ago. Red Baron's also organized and conducted the guitar auction.

HISTORICAL NOTES ABOUT ELVIS PRESLEY'S MARTIN D-18 GUITAR

The D-18 "C. F. MARTIN" guitar, Serial No. 80221, has been reported to be Elvis Presley's first guitar. This particular instrument was handcrafted in the Martin guitar factory, which was at that time located at 10 West North Street in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. January 15, 1942 is considered to be the birthday of this guitar, the date the serial number was stamped into the neck block. It was made under the Martin shop order No. 592 of that year. Martin made approximately 326 style D-18 guitars during that year. Production was quite low due to the war time restrictions.

C. F. Martin is honored to introduce the D-28HW Hank Williams, Sr., Limited Edition Guitar. This historic instrument commemorates the 75th anniversary of the birth of Hank Williams, Sr., one of the most popular and influential figures in the history of American music. C. F. Martin will offer a total of 150 of these special guitars for sale worldwide.

Although Hank Williams, Sr., died before reaching the age of 30, he created a body of work that has made him a legend and earned him a lasting international reputation. Hank Williams, Sr., played Martin guitars extensively throughout his career.

The original Hank Williams, Sr., D-28 Martin is one of the most valuable (if not priceless) guitars ever made. Its worth is certainly affected by the fact that it was Hank Williams' favorite personal guitar. He made nearly all his popular recordings with his Martin. The guitar is now on display in the Hank Williams, Jr., Family Tradition Museum in Nashville.

The D-28HW Limited Edition Hank Williams, Sr., Commemorative model is crafted with appointments to match the original pre-war herringbone D-28 (serial #87422) built in 1944. The 14-fret Dreadnought is crafted with Martin's "Golden Era" features. The term "Golden Era" refers to vintage Martin instruments made prior to Worl War II. During the pre-war ear, Martin's unique, almost magical blend of well chosen material, optimized deesign, and hand-crafted construction created what many collectors and guitar experts believe to be the finest acoustic stringed instruments ever made. The return of the vintage attributes to production has been well received by the guitar playing community, prompting references to the 1990s as Martin's "Second Golden Era."

A solid spruce bookmatched soundboard is braced with the original pre-war Martin scalloped X-brace pattern, forward shifted to a position approximately 1" from the soundhole. The two piece back, fashioned from solid Brazilian Rosewood, features the traditional zig-zag back inlay strip. The rosette is the traditional style 28 comprised of black and white wood inlay lines. Grained ivoroid binding with fine pattern herringbone wood purfling is inlaid around the perimeter of the top.

The solid genuine mahogany neck features a modified V-shape with an adjustable rod, an elongated carved diamond on the back of the neck, an old style pointed heel, and a grained ivoroid heel cap. The original genuine ebony fingerboard has been faithfully recreated with Martin's vintage diamond and square inlay pattern (diamond at fifth fret, two squares at seventh fret, diamond at ninth fret, two squares at 12th fret, diamond at 15th fret). The signature of Hank Williams, Sr., is delicately inlaid between the 19th and 20th frets.

Each instrument will be numbered in sequence (#1 of 150, #2 of 150, etc.) and signed by C. F. Martin, IV, Martin's chairman and CEO who represents the sixth generation of Martin family members to manage the esteemed guitar making firm.

The son of a railroad engineer, Williams was born in Alabama on September 17, 1923. Unable to read or write music, he first learned to play with the help of an Alabama street singer named Rufe Payne. Williams launched his career as leader of a small group, the Drifting Cowboys, who performed on local radio shows in Shreveport, Lousiana and Montgomery, Alabama. By 1949, he had become a nationally acclaimed star of the Grand Ole Opry. A superb songwriter, Williams is remembered for his unique ability to reach people's souls with honest and simple lyrics and music. Among his best-known songs are the classics "Take These Chains from My Heart," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Your Cheatin' Heart," "You Win Again," and "I Can't Help It." Williams died January 1, 1953. He has been inducted into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.

Acknowledged as one of the most accomplished interpretive folksingers of the century, Joan Baez has influenced nearly every aspect of popular music in a career that has lasted nearly four decades. Her distinctive soprano was first heard at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959 and she has had continuous success with her folk, folk-rock, country, and pop/rock albums. For virtually her entire career, Joan Baez has recorded and performed with her favorite guitar, a C. F. Martin vintage 0-45.

In honor of Joan Baez' unparalleled influence on popular music and to pay tribute to her stellar career, C. F. Martin is proud to announce the Joan Baez Limited Edition 0-45JB Signature Model. There will be just 59 signed and numbered instruments in this limited edition, in honor of the year (1959) in which Baez launched her career. Joan Baez is the first woman ever honored with a Martin limited edition guitar. The edition is also the first Artist Signature Model to be offered by Martin's highly successful and influential "Women in Music" Project. The guitar will be available only from authorized Martin dealers throughout the world.

A replica of Baez' priceless, pre-war, vintage 0-45, the Joan Baez Limited Edition will be hand crafted entirely of solid woods. The 0-45JB is a rare small-bodied 12-fret instrument with delicately scalloped top bracing reminiscent of the 1920s. The guitar is handcrafted with Martin's highest grade selection of tonewood: a Sitka spruce sound board and East Indian rosewood back and sides. The two piece back has the Martin Style 45 multi-colored mosaic inlay strip. The carved neck incorporates a modified V-shape with old style elongated diamond and pointed neck heel. The genuine ebony fingerboard is inlaid with the vintage Martin Style 45 abalone snowflake inlay pattern. Highly colorful abalone pearl is inlaid around the rosette, as well as the perimeter of the top, sides, and back. Grained ivoroid binding compliments the abalone pearl inlay at all appropriate seams in the vintage 45 style.

Joan Baez' signature will be delicately inlaid between the 18th and 19th frets. Each guitar will be personally signed by Joan Baez and by C. F. Martin, IV, Martin's chairman and CEO, with each instrument numbered in sequence (#1 of 59, #2 of 59, etc.). A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Joan Baez 0-45JB Limited Edition Guitars will be donated to "Bread & Roses," a charity established by Joan's sister, Mimi Farina. "Bread & Roses" is a non-profit organization that brings free live entertainment into hospitals, convalescent homes, prisons, and other places that are less likely to experience entertainment opportunities.

Martin Guitar dealers worldwide will begin to take orders for the 0-45JB Joan Baez Signature Models immediately, although the guitars will not be available until the late summer of 1998. The construction of all Martin guitars is a process that takes both time and expertise. The Martin Guitar Company dates back to the 1830s when Christian Frederick Martin, Sr., moved to the United States from Europe. The guitar shop he set up over 160 years ago has been continuously family owned and operated. Current Chairman and CEO Chris Martin, IV, is the sixth generation Martin to head this venerable company.